Jesus calls us to be reconcilers, peacemakers, and advocates in a broken and divided world (Matthew 5:9). The reconciliation studies major prepares students to faithfully and intellectually follow this call.

Why should I study reconciliation studies?

It truly is a small world after all. As globalization increases and the U.S. becomes more racially, religiously, and economically diverse, we now find ourselves interacting with people who are culturally different and have stories, joys, and challenges that are nothing like our own. Beyond that, we can now more easily see the ways in which the world is not as it should be—there is hunger, violence, racial discord, human trafficking, the oppression of women and girls, and more. When we take up the work of reconciliation, we journey toward reclaiming God's original plan for creation.

What can I do with this degree?

Our graduates go on to build careers as:

Public service employees

Nonprofit and NGO employees

Public relations specialists

Community and human service officers

Ministers and missionaries

Lawyers in law enforcement

Public policy makers

Healthcare researchers

Community developers (domestic and international)

Business people

Educators

What skills will I develop?

As a reconciliation studies major, you will:

Become an expert on diversity

Examine and understand culture

Understand conflict mediation

See the world from the viewpoint of the oppressed

Learn to communicate cross-culturally

Understand the biblical and theological basis for reconciliation and justice

Complete a reconciliation practicum that will help you develop cross-cultural leadership skills

Learn how to lead social change

What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?

Like many majors at Bethel, reconciliation studies majors take off for a semester or interim to study abroad in Africa, Central America, Europe, and more. Living in other countries is a great way to learn about other cultures and begin to understand the unique ways that we can reconcile with those who think and live differently from us. Bethel offers yearly trips to South Africa and the southern United States to help students develop cultural competence and understand how historical events like apartheid and the civil rights movement shape our world today.

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